If you’ve ever found a job opening you loved, convinced yourself to go for it, and sent in your resumé – only to later discover the position was filled within weeks, you’re not alone. The aspirational excitement followed by disappointment is part of what makes the job search a game – one which you can work on winning.

HR teams are getting better at recruitment and you can improve your chances of getting their attention. If your application efforts aren’t resulting in interviews, it may be time to rethink your job search strategy. You should focus on leverage – how you set yourself apart from the competition.

Show, don’t tell

A resumé is a single document listing your experience, credentials, education and interests. Regardless of how creatively you design your template, your resumé is merely a list of projects you’ve done, it doesn’t show how you accomplished them.

While you were likely taught to keep resumés one page in length, it’s impossible to showcase all your noteworthy work with such limited space, especially as your experience grows overtime. By only submitting a resumé and cover letter, it’s much more challenging to convince a hiring manager that you’re the right fit for the job.

A blog, personal website, or online portfolio are great tools to have to assist you in your self promotion, and all of these are strong additions to a resumé. For instance, if there’s a topic you’re passionate about, write it in a blog on a website like Medium.com (you don’t have to be a writer to write one, so long as you get your message across). For portfolio work, share it on your LinkedIn profile, or on your own online space. The more work you’re able to show employers outside of your resumé, the better.

Employers pick candidates they recognize

Hiring managers look at referrals before looking anywhere else. Companies even integrate incentivized referral programs within their businesses to promote word-of-mouth hires. As a job seeker, this is why it’s important to maintain relationships with those in your network. This group of influencers can offer advice and keep you in the loop as new positions are posted internally.

And if you don’t have a network to assist in a position you’re interested in, get out there and promote yourself. Share any work you have online, reach out to employers over social media, or shake hands with influencers at any events you attend.

Personality fit

Character and the ability to communicate are crucial skills that are sought after by hiring managers. A resumé, on the other hand, says zero about your personality. In job postings, employers list qualifications for technical skills. And while you may believe you match what they’re looking for, as with hundreds of like-minded others, the hard skills won’t necessarily separate you from the pack. But people skills will.

Make the necessary efforts to introduce yourself and meet with employers you’re interested in. This can be done by attending social industry meet-ups, formal career fairs, or by reaching out to them on social media. Make employers feel like they already know you, even before coming into an interview. That way, you’re already one step closer to the job, and you don’t need a resumé to prove your worth.

This article was written by Megan Santos of Jobpostings.ca, Canada’s largest student job network helping post-secondary students find their internships, co-ops and entry-level jobs to launch their careers. Follow them @Jobpostings.ca.